Ali Akbar Rosady
Veteran combat sports icon Tony Ferguson is slated to make his next Misfits Boxing appearance on September 26, defending his middleweight title against challenger Kenzo Biyong at the James L. Knight Center in Miami. The event, a significant fixture on the Misfits calendar, will be streamed live globally on DAZN, marking another chapter in Ferguson’s eclectic late-career journey.
Ferguson, widely known for his storied tenure in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), where he once held the interim lightweight championship, transitioned to the Misfits Boxing platform following a challenging period in his mixed martial arts career. "El Cucuy," a moniker reflecting his relentless and often unorthodox fighting style, amassed an impressive 12-fight win streak in the UFC’s lightweight division between 2013 and 2019, defeating a roster of elite contenders including Rafael dos Anjos, Kevin Lee, and Donald Cerrone. His unique blend of high-volume striking, devastating elbows, and a submission game anchored by a potent D’Arce choke made him one of the most feared and exciting fighters in his weight class. However, a series of losses starting in 2020, primarily against top-tier opponents like Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Michael Chandler, prompted a reevaluation of his competitive landscape.
His foray into Misfits Boxing in 2025 signaled a new direction for the Californian. At Misfits 22 in August 2025, Ferguson captured the interim middleweight title with a decisive stoppage victory over internet personality and crossover boxer Salt Papi. This win was particularly notable as it marked Ferguson’s first combat sports triumph in over six years, reigniting interest in his competitive spirit and demonstrating his adaptability, even at 41 years old. The victory, achieved through a TKO, showcased flashes of his signature pressure and striking volume, albeit in a different rule set. Following this interim title acquisition, Ferguson was promoted to undisputed Misfits middleweight champion after securing a unanimous decision victory over Warren Spencer at the promotion’s "Misfits Mania" event in December of the same year. These two performances established Ferguson as a legitimate, if unexpected, force within the burgeoning crossover boxing scene.
Despite his success in Misfits, Ferguson has continued to explore various combat disciplines. In June 2026, he competed in a grappling match under the Russian Armwrestling Federation (RAF) banner, facing Arman Tsarukyan at RAF 10. In that bout, Ferguson suffered a technical fall loss, indicating his willingness to test himself across different martial arts forms, regardless of the outcome. This diverse competitive schedule underscores his enduring passion for combat, even as he approaches the twilight of a remarkable career. His boxing style, while fundamentally rooted in his MMA striking, often incorporates a unique rhythm and angle of attack that can be challenging for traditional boxers. His durability and conditioning, hallmarks of his UFC career, remain crucial assets in the boxing ring.
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Challenging Ferguson for the Misfits middleweight title will be Kenzo Biyong, a competitor whose background presents a stark contrast to Ferguson’s extensive combat sports resume. Biyong’s athletic journey began in professional soccer, a sport where he built a foundation of athleticism and strategic thinking. More recently, Biyong transitioned into the world of jiu-jitsu, a grappling art far removed from the stand-up striking of boxing. His participation in UFC BJJ 7 in April, where he faced Raphael Ferreira, resulted in a submission loss. This competitive jiu-jitsu experience highlights Biyong’s grappling prowess and willingness to compete in high-stakes environments, but offers minimal direct preparation for a boxing match against a veteran striker of Ferguson’s caliber.
Biyong’s entry into Misfits Boxing, particularly into a title fight against a celebrated figure like Ferguson, signifies the unique appeal and risk-taking nature of the promotion. Lacking a documented professional boxing record, Biyong steps into the ring as a relative unknown in the striking arts, facing an opponent with decades of combat experience. His primary challenge will be to bridge the significant gap in striking technique and ring craft against a fighter who has stood across from some of the world’s best. Biyong’s potential path to victory would likely hinge on exploiting any signs of Ferguson’s age or adapting quickly to the nuances of boxing, possibly leveraging his athletic attributes and raw power. However, against Ferguson’s relentless pace and unconventional offensive output, this represents a formidable task.
The Misfits Boxing event on September 26 is headlined by another crossover spectacle, featuring former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo in a boxing match against popular internet personality Deen the Great. The inclusion of high-profile former UFC champions like Ferguson and Cejudo underscores Misfits Boxing’s strategy to attract a broader audience by blending legitimate combat sports pedigree with the entertainment-driven influencer boxing model. This fusion allows established fighters to compete in a less demanding, yet still financially lucrative, environment, while simultaneously drawing new eyes to the Misfits brand. The James L. Knight Center in Miami, a city with a vibrant combat sports culture, provides an appropriate backdrop for such an event, offering accessibility for fans and a notable venue for the fighters.
The Ferguson-Biyong bout carries multiple layers of significance. For Ferguson, it represents an opportunity to further solidify his standing as a Misfits champion and continue his competitive career in a new arena. Each victory adds to his legacy and demonstrates his enduring passion for fighting, irrespective of the platform. For Biyong, this fight is a monumental step, offering a chance to make an immediate impact in the boxing world against a globally recognized name. A victory would catapult him into the combat sports conversation, while a loss, especially against a fighter of Ferguson’s renown, would still provide invaluable experience and exposure.
As the event draws closer, anticipation will build around Ferguson’s physical condition and strategic approach, given his diverse competitive outings in 2026. His ability to maintain a high work rate and adapt to Biyong’s unknown boxing style will be critical. Conversely, Biyong’s challenge lies in neutralizing Ferguson’s offensive pressure and demonstrating a surprising level of boxing acumen. The Misfits Boxing platform continues to be a melting pot of combat sports narratives, and the middleweight title defense between Ferguson and Biyong is poised to be another compelling chapter in its evolving story.
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